General News
14 March, 2025
Tight tussle tipped in LV grand final
LAST YEAR Mincha West finished on top of the Loddon Valley Tennis Association ladder but had to forfeit its semi-final when extreme heat forced a change in the starting time. Two of the club’s players had work commitments and were not available to...
LAST YEAR Mincha West finished on top of the Loddon Valley Tennis Association ladder but had to forfeit its semi-final when extreme heat forced a change in the starting time.
Two of the club’s players had work commitments and were not available to play when the match was brought forward by two-and-a-half hours.
Raywood, which won the clash on forfeit, went into the grand final, in which it was outplayed by Calivil North.
So, there’s a sense of déjà vu about this Saturday’s grand final between Mincha and Calivil, set to be played in heat approaching 40 degrees.
“We’re negotiating playing earlier again at the moment,” Mincha captain Jeannie Wagner said.
“We’ve told all of our members to make sure they are free on Saturday morning.”
Wagner said Calivil always fielded a powerful lineup but “we are going in with our strongest team – we know it will be a tough match.
“They are definitely beatable but last time we played (Calivil captain) Michelle Balic was injured.
“When she is in, Calivil North is really tough. She makes a massive difference.” The clubs have met twice this season, with Calivil successful both times.
Balic said neither team had been at full strength in those meetings, so the grand final was up for grabs.
“We have had a pretty good season so far, and it has been good to see the younger players,” she said.
Calivil has consistently played four juniors throughout the season, including Balic’s 14-year-old son Oscar.
“It’s been brilliant to see, and it has happened in a lot of teams this year.”
Wagner’s three children – Trista, 20, Brodie, 18, and Riley, 16 – have all played regularly this season.
Trista will make the long haul from Adelaide, where she is at university, for the match.
Last Saturday’s semi-finals were played at Dingee.
Mincha West 106 d Dingee 72
Mens: J Ritchie D Mann d A Hocking R Lawry 7-2. J Ritchie D Stewart lost to A Hocking M Harvey 5-7. D Mann D Stewart d R Lawry M Harvey 7-4. P Gorgen R Wagner lost to B Duncan R Ellis 5-7. P Gorgan T Wagner d B Duncan D Condliffe 7-0. R Wagner T Wagner d R Ellis D Condliffe 7-0.
Ladies: E Prout J Wagner d B Baker A Hay 7-3. E Prout T Stewart d B Baker S Hay 7-1. J Wagner T Stewart d A Hay S Hay 7-1. C Pickles M Stewart lost to K Pay E Hay 2-7. C Pickles C Gould lost to K Pay K Ellis 5-7. M Stewart C Gould lost to E Hay K Ellis 3-7.
Mixed: D Mann E Prout d M Harvey B Baker 7-3. J Ritchie J Wagner d A Hocking A Hay 7-2. D Stewart T Stewart d R Lawry S Hay 7-6. R Wagner C Pickles lost to B Duncan K Pay 2-7. T Wagner M Stewart d R Ellis E Hay 7-6. P Gargen C Gould d D Condliffe K Ellis 7-2.
Calivil North 117 d Raywood 65
Mens: L Maxted C Smith lost to M Collins A Demeo 2-7. L Maxted O Balic d M Collins P Harris 7-6. C Smith O Balic d A Demeo P Harris 7-5. J Smith J Smith d R Haw N Marlow 7-6. J Smith K Maxted lost to R Haw R Demeo 4-7. K Smith K Maxted d N Marlow R Demeo 7-1.
Ladies: M Balic C Rogers d C Haw P Morton 7-0. M Balic G Maxted d C Haw B Zuidema 7-1. C Rogers G Maxted d P Morton B Zuidema 7-0. L Strachan H Vinnicombe d S Demeo M Haw 7-4. L Strachan A Maxted d S Demeo M Ludeman 7-2. H Vinnicombe A Maxted d M Haw M Ludeman 7-3.
Mixed: C Smith M Balic d M Collins P Morton 7-2. O Balic C Rogers d A Demeo C Haw 7-0. L Maxted L Strachan d P Harris B Zuidema 7-5. J Smith G Maxted lost to R Haw M Haw 6-7. J Smith H Vinnicombe d R Demeo S Demeo 7-5. K Maxted A Maxted d N Marlowe M Ludeman 7-4